8 Health Benefits Of Asparagus

In addition to providing us with vitamins and minerals, asparagus is diuretic and high in fiber, which allows us to prevent and avoid retention of water and constipation.

In addition to being delicious and versatile, asparagus also has many benefits. Do you know what these benefits are? The best time to consume asparagus is during the spring. During this season we can find both varieties of asparagus in store (white and green).

Find out all there is to know about asparagus here.

Characteristics of asparagus

Asparagus is the main stem of a plant called Aspargus Officinalis, which can grow up to a meter and a half in height. It belongs to the leek, onion and chive family. Although they do not look like it, neither in shape nor in taste.

Nowadays, they are found in temperate regions. The main asparagus producing countries are Italy, Germany and France. Even though greenhouses and cold rooms allow us to have vegetables all year round, the best time to consume asparagus is during the spring. During the other months, we can taste the canned ones, for example.

A little history…

Green asparagus is native to the Mediterranean Sea region. More precisely, it comes from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. In ancient Egypt and Greece, it was used as food and as an offering to the gods. It was the Romans who popularized this plant due to its medicinal properties and introduced it throughout Europe.

With the decline of the Roman Empire, the consumption of this vegetable declined markedly. However, in the 12th century, they reappeared to acquire great fame thanks to their gastronomic qualities. Then in the 17th century, asparagus became one of the foods most consumed by the bourgeoisie and the upper classes of society.

Until the 19th century, the only known type of asparagus was green. However, thanks to a change in the mode of cultivation (underground), the white variety emerged. The difference is related to the degree of contact with the sun of the plant (green contains chlorophyll).

What are the benefits of asparagus?

According to this article from the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, asparagus contains many vitamins, especially green asparagus. Thanks to its many vitamins, the benefits of asparagus have been recognized and used since Antiquity. Discover them all in the rest of this article.

1. They are diuretics

Asparagus consists mainly of water which facilitates the elimination of liquids.

• They are recommended for people suffering from fluid retention, edema or kidney problems, as claimed in this study by the University of Faisalabad, as well as hypertension, as claimed in this study by the Hokaido University.
• In addition, they contain asparagine, a substance that promotes urine production.
• In addition, they do not have natural sodium. Therefore, they  do not increase the swelling typical of PMS.

2. They are laxative

Another of the benefits of asparagus for our health is related to its ability to regulate intestinal transit due to the presence of fiber in its composition. This is what confirms this study conducted by the National University of Pusan ​​(Korea).

• Asparagus helps prevent, treat and prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticula in the colon, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Its fiber, on the other hand, has other such properties. For example, it helps lower cholesterol and promotes the breakdown of sugars in the blood. This study carried out by La Fuenfría Hospital emphasizes this point.

3. They are antioxidants

A dish that includes asparagus can be much more effective than any beauty treatment. The reason is that this green or white vegetable provides many antioxidants that have the ability to neutralize the effects of free radicals, as claimed in this study carried out by the University of Concepción (Chile).

• Its antioxidants attack cells and cause aging.
• In addition, asparagus contains beta-carotene, which is very beneficial for the health of the skin, as shown by this study carried out by the Technological Institute of Veracruz (Mexico).

4. They act as an antidepressant

Asparagus contains a large amount of folic acid. This nutrient is responsible not only for improving the health of pregnant women and helping the fetus in its development. In addition, it has beneficial effects for the brain, as confirmed by this study carried out by the University of Chile.

• This vegetable, therefore, reduces the chances of suffering from cognitive deterioration. It is also used to reconcile sleep, to fight insomnia and to treat depression. So, if you are having trouble resting, if you are too stressed or tired, the best thing you can do is eat asparagus for dinner. However, no scientific evidence confirms this.

5. They are very nutritious

Here is another of the benefits of asparagus. The nutritional composition of asparagus contains vitamins A, C, E and K, chromium, trace elements, fiber and folic acid.

• Consuming asparagus periodically provides the body with many essential nutrients necessary for its proper functioning.

6. They are recommended for bones

People over 50 (especially women who are in the menopause stage) and children under 5 should eat more asparagus than others.

• Why ? Because thanks to its vitamin K content, it helps strengthen bones and helps prevent fractures. This is what this information from the National Library of Medicine of the United States asserts .
• Whether due to osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, the skeletal system of the elderly is weakened.
• In the case of children, this will help them grow and develop normally.
• Thanks to this vegetable, the protein osteocalcin (located in bone tissue) can do its job properly.

7. They help to lose weight

If we are on a diet to lose weight, the benefits of asparagus will come in handy. We need to include them in our diet.

• One cup (200 g) of this vegetable contains almost 300 mg of potassium. This nutrient is known to reduce abdominal fat.
• They also contain fibers which prevent constipation and promote the elimination of toxins.
• And, to complete it all, they help to calm the appetite. Indeed, they help us not to consume food to alleviate anxiety, depression or boredom.

8. They are antiviral

Finally, another of the benefits of asparagus is related to its contribution in nutrients that promote the immune system, as confirmed by this research conducted by  Hislop School of Biotechnology (India). They are therefore ideal for preventing colds, flu and any viral or bacterial illness.

By adding different spices or seasonings to your vegetables, you can enhance their flavor and make them much tastier and delicious.